Spring is here, and after a long winter it’s time to give my home a deep clean. As part of my spring cleaning routine, I like to pay special attention to my floors. Giving them a thorough scrubbing helps renew my home with a fresh springtime feel. Here are my tips for deep cleaning hardwood, tile, and carpet floors this season.
Cleaning Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floors take a lot of wear and tear over the winter. Muddy boots, salt residue, and pet dander can build up. Follow these steps to restore their shine:
Sweep and Vacuum
The first step is to thoroughly sweep and vacuum the floors. This lifts up surface dust and debris. Make sure to get into the corners and edges.
Wash With Hardwood Floor Cleaner
Next, I fill a bucket with warm water and add a small amount of hardwood floor cleaner. Using a microfiber mop, I mop the floor in sections, rinsing the mop frequently. The cleaner helps lift up dirt from within the wood grains.
Use Vinegar for Pet Stains
For tough pet stains, I mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. After spot cleaning the stained area, I go over it again with the wood floor cleaner to remove any vinegar residue. The vinegar helps neutralize odors.
Apply Fresh Coat of Finish
Once or twice per year, I reapply a fresh coat of polyurethane finish. This protects the wood from moisture and scratches. I apply 2-3 thin coats with a paint pad, letting each coat dry fully before adding the next.
Scrubbing Tile and Grout
Grout lines inevitably collect dirt and grime. Give tile floors a good deep cleaning using:
Baking Soda Paste
I sprinkle baking soda liberally over the tile and use a wet sponge to scrub it around. The baking soda forms an abrasive paste that scours the tile and grout. I let it sit for 5-10 minutes before rinsing.
Vinegar Spray
For disinfecting, I fill a spray bottle with equal parts white vinegar and water. After scrubbing with the baking soda paste, I spray down the tile with the vinegar. This removes soap scum and kills bacteria.
Toothbrush for Grout
To really get grout lines sparkling, I use an old toothbrush. I dip it in vinegar and scrub it back and forth across stained or dirty grout. A toothbrush reaches into crevices better than a sponge.
Remove Residue and Reseal
Finally, I mop the floor with clean water to remove any cleaner residue. Once fully dry, I reapply grout sealer to protect the grout from future stains.
Deep Cleaning Carpets
Carpets take a beating and need special attention. Here is how I get carpets fresh and clean for spring:
Vacuum Thoroughly
I start by vacuuming the entire carpet, going back and forth in different directions. This brings up surface dust and dirt from deep in the carpet fibers.
Pre-Treat Stains
For food, mud, or pet stains, I apply a carpet stain remover. I let it soak for 5-10 minutes before scrubbing with a clean rag or scrub brush. This prevents stains from setting.
Rent a Carpet Cleaner
Every spring I rent a heavy duty carpet shampoo machine. It uses hot water and cleaning solution to deep clean carpets better than my own lightweight carpet cleaner. I move methodically room-by-room.
Deodorize with Baking Soda
Once carpets are dry, I sprinkle baking soda across the entire carpet. I let it sit for an hour before vacuuming again. Baking soda absorbs odors left behind from winter boots and pets.
A deep floor cleaning leaves my home looking and smelling fresh for spring. While it takes some work, the renewed look and feel of my floors is worth the effort.
